An Orthodox Jewish boy was beaten by a group of attackers as he walked home in Lakewood, and police today said they are investigating the assault as a bias incident.

The 14-year-old victim, who was left bruised and bleeding, told investigators that he heard the word "Jew" uttered before the attackers approached him from behind at about 6:30 p.m. Saturday on Spruce Street, right off Route 9, said Sgt. Edward Rupp.

The child made it home after the attack and was taken to a local hospital, where he was treated and released, according to police.

Rupp said the attack did not appear to be linked to the Oct. 9 baseball bat beating of a township Orthodox Jewish rabbi while he was on his way to a local synagogue.

Police arrested Lee Tucker, 37, two weeks after that attack, and charged him with attempted murder and possession of a deadly weapon -- the bat.